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Written Answers to Questions
Monday 18 June 2012
Attorney-General
Crime
Stella Creasy: To ask the Attorney-General how many cases have been identified by the Crown Prosecution Service as hate crimes involving gender; and how many people have been (a) charged with and (b) convicted of hate crime involving gender in the last five years. [112580]
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The Attorney-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) data systems record offences that have been disproportionately targeted towards women and girls as offences of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The gender dynamics of these crimes are acknowledged and understood in order to provide an appropriate and effective prosecution response. Men can also be victims of these offences, and women can be offenders. Male victims will have the same access to protection and legal redress as female victims. All cases are prosecuted fairly and justly in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
The volume of prosecutions and convictions of VAWG offences (against female or male victims) in the last five years is provided in the following table. This includes offence data relating to domestic violence, rape and sexual offences. Since April 2008 the CPS has reported on the prosecution of VAWG crimes. Prior to April 2008, domestic violence was recorded and reported on as a hate crime.
| VAW case load 2007-08 to 2011-12 | ||||||||
| DV | Rape | Sexual Offences | Total VAW | |||||
| Convictions | Charged | Convictions | Charged | Convictions | Charged | Convictions | Charged | |
Crown Prosecution Service: York
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Attorney-General what the annual cost is of the lease for Athena House, York; how the annual cost is apportioned between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and North Yorkshire police; when the lease is due to end; and what the cost to the CPS would be of (a) terminating the lease and (b) paying for underused office space if the CPS were to move its staff to other premises. [111154]
The Solicitor-General: The Athena House building contains offices for both the Crown Prosecution Service and North Yorkshire police. There is no joint lease, each organisation leases separate parts of the building. The lease for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) accommodation ends in February 2020, with a lease break in February 2015.
CPS currently pays rent of £186,158 per annum, inclusive of VAT for its share of Athena House. There is a cost sharing agreement with North Yorkshire police for running costs.
CPS will be liable to pay rent for Athena House until the exercise of the break clause option in February 2015. It is not anticipated that there will be any financial penalty attached to the exercise of the break clause.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Attorney-General what estimate he made of the annual savings which would be achieved by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) co-locating CPS and police staff prior to the opening of Athena House in York; and what estimate he has made of such savings made by the CPS in each year since Athena House was opened. [111244]
The Solicitor-General: In 2005, the North Yorkshire Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) moved from Ryedale House in central York to Athena House, based on the outskirts of York, co-locating CPS and police staff at Athena House. Co-location enabled the communication links between the police and CPS to be shortened, reducing delay and improving efficiency.
The business case for the move cited the national Glidewell review as the basis for savings. The Glidewell review pilots estimated an average saving to all criminal justice agencies of £17.40 per criminal case. Based on a caseload of 14,000 cases per year in North Yorkshire, the projected savings across all CJS agencies was £243,600. It is not possible to apportion any part of these projected savings to any individual criminal justice agency nor is it possible to identify whether any savings were made in reality as a result of the co-location, as no subsequent analysis has been carried out.
The year on year cost of estate for North Yorkshire CPS is as follows:
In 2004-05: £314,757 (covering offices in Northallerton, Scarborough, Harrogate and York Ryedale House).
In 2005-06: £476,530 (covering offices in Scarborough, Harrogate and Ryedale House/Athena house for parts of the year).
In 2006-07: £452,803 (covering offices in Scarborough, Harrogate and Athena House).
In 2007-08: £396,550 (covering offices in Athena House and Harrogate). No changes to estates in 2008-09, 2009-10 or 2010-11.
In 2011-12: £362,646 (covering offices in Athena House and Harrogate for part of the year).
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Extradition
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of its total budget the Crown Prosecution Service spent on extradition cases in each year since 2003. [111910]
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The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) did not maintain separate financial data for the Extradition Unit prior to 2007-08. The following table details the percentage budget spend for the Extradition Unit and does not include import cases dealt with by the CPS areas.
| Financial year | Total CPS budget(£) | Total Extradition Unit spend (£) | Percentage spend |
Pay
Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many staff working for the Law Officers' Departments and its executive agencies are employed through off-payroll engagements costing less than £58,200 per annum; and if he will make a statement. [110832]
The Solicitor-General: The information requested is contained in the following table:
| Department | Number of staff employed under off-payroll engagements costing less than £58,000 per annum |
| (1) Tsol data also cover the Attorney-General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate | |
None of the above mentioned staff members are civil servants. The majority are temporary staff engaged through employment agencies to cover short-term vacancies and to secure specific specialist legal and support skills that are not available in-house.
Proceeds of Crime
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Attorney-General what his Department’s strategy is on recovering criminal assets owed through outstanding confiscation orders; and what targets he has set for such recovery. [111272]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office have no formal targets for recovering criminal assets owed through outstanding confiscation orders. However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) aims to deliver year on year improvements to its net realisations from confiscation orders. The SFO did have an internal target to recover £19 million of proceeds, not restricted to criminal assets owed from confiscation orders, in the financial year ending March 2011. This figure included civil recovery sums, costs orders and other reparations which can be demonstrated as being made as a direct result of SFO activity. The SFO’s work resulted in over £50 million of assets being recovered from the proceeds of crime in 2011-12.
The enforcement of outstanding orders is generally by HM Courts and Tribunal Service, who hold primary responsibility for this issue. However, both the CPS and SFO take the lead on enforcement when they can add value. Each case is dependent on its facts but relevant factors will be the value of the order, whether it is appropriate to appoint an enforcement receiver; and whether mutual legal assistance will be required to realise overseas assets. Where enforcement action has not led to the order being satisfied, consideration is given to requesting that the Court activate the default sentence.
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Attorney-General what the value was of criminal assets successfully recovered through confiscation orders issued by the Crown Prosecution Service in (a) Spain, (b) the Cayman Islands, (c) the British Virgin Islands, (d) Switzerland, (e) Mauritius, (f) Dubai, (g) India, (h) Pakistan, (i) Jersey, (j) Guernsey, (k) Cyprus and (l) Thailand in each of the last five years. [111273]
The Solicitor-General: The information sought is not currently available. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relies on the joint asset recovery database (JARD) to generate its statistics on asset recovery. The ability to record country specific information has only recently been added to the JARD and as such there are insufficient available data to provide an accurate answer.
If defendants are unwilling to repatriate their assets voluntarily, the CPS will generally seek mutual legal assistance from the states in which the assets are located. In the absence of a relevant treaty, convention or asset sharing agreement, the requested state is entitled to retain any assets recovered and to provide a certificate of realisation, which enables the amount realised to be credited towards the remaining balance of a defendant’s confiscation order. If compensation for victims is included within the confiscation order, states will generally agree to repatriate the sums recovered net of their costs.
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Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Attorney-General (1) what total value of confiscation orders was issued by the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last five years; and how much was successfully recovered through such orders in each year; [111274]
(2) if he will publish data on the performance of the (a) Crown Prosecution Service and (b) Serious Fraud Office against its targets for the recovery of the proceeds of crime and fraud for the last five years. [111271]
The Solicitor-General:
Statistics showing the value of confiscation orders obtained by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are set out in the following table. Orders
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can be varied via a number of mechanisms, including (but not limited to) appeal; applications to decrease the order when the assets realised less than expected at confiscation; and applications to increase when the value of the assets are higher than known or expected at confiscation. To provide a more accurate picture, the current value of the orders obtained is provided in addition to the original order amount.
Some orders may take a significant time to enforce. Generally the larger the order, the more complex will be the enforcement process. As a result, amounts realised in any one year will relate to orders made in that year and previous years.
| £/Number | ||
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Procurement
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Attorney-General what the total (a) number and (b) value of contracts issued by (i) his Department and (ii) bodies for which he is responsible which were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises was in the latest period for which figures are available. [111219]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records indicate that a total of four contracts were awarded during the financial year 2011-12. Of the four, three were to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a total value of £127,425. There were a further 14 contracts awarded through Government Procurement Service, or other Government Department framework suppliers. Data on whether these suppliers are classified as SMEs are not held by the CPS.
During 2011-12 the SFO awarded a total of 33 contracts to SMEs, amounting to a total value of £52,058 using the joint CPS and SFO Electronic Presentation of Evidence framework agreement.
In line with Government procurement policy, the SFO uses framework agreements whenever possible. No other contracts with a value over £10,000 were awarded to SMEs in that year. Other than for the Presentation of Evidence framework agreement, contracts below £10,000 are not recorded centrally or categorised by the size of the organisation to which they are awarded.
Most of the external expenditure made by The Treasury Solicitor's Department, Attorney-General's Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate is for legal services provided by barristers and solicitors. These are generally self-employed individuals or enterprises which may be classified as SMEs. However, Tsol does not centrally record details of the number and value of contracts issued to SMEs and could determine this only through a full manual examination of all of their records which would incur a disproportionate cost.
Wales
Public Expenditure
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on reassessment of the Holtham estimates of Welsh Government underfunding under the Barnett formula; [111917]
(2) what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on reassessment of the Holtham estimates of Welsh Government underfunding under the Barnett formula; [111918]
(3) what assessment she has made of the Holtham Commission estimates of Welsh Government underfunding under the Barnett formula. [112377]
Mrs Gillan: Discussions are ongoing between the Government and the Welsh Government on all aspects of the proposals in the Holtham reports.
Northern Ireland
Atos
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what the total monetary value is of each contract between his Department and Atos; [111208]
(2) when each contract between his Department and Atos was most recently (a) agreed, (b) renewed and (c) extended. [111209]
Mr Paterson: My Department does not have any contracts with Atos.
Recruitment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 489W, on recruitment, to what extent his Department and its non-departmental public bodies used name-blank CVs or the blind sift function on the Civil Service Resourcing e-recruitment system to recruit staff in the last year. [110957]
Mr Paterson: My Department does not, at present, use the Civil Service Resourcing e-recruitment system to recruit staff. Following the devolution of policing and justice functions to the NI Assembly in April 2010, the Northern Ireland Office adopted Ministry of Justice terms and conditions and we are currently examining the scope to access the e-recruitment system via MOJ.
My Department has two non-departmental public bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. Both public bodies are independent of Government and the right hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the Commissions directly on these matters.
Scotland
Atos
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total monetary value is of each contract between his Department and Atos. [111214]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not have any contracts with Atos.
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Procurement
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total (a) number and (b) value of contracts issued by his Department which were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises was in the latest period for which figures are available. [111216]
David Mundell: Other than minor or bespoke purchases, the Scotland Office does not undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It utilises existing service contracts between suppliers and the Scottish Government or the Ministry of Justice. Since May 2010, only one contract has been issued directly by the Scotland Office, and this was issued to the Royal Mail for the purposes of the Scottish parliamentary elections.
Leader of the House
Members: Participation in Proceedings
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Leader of the House whether he plans to bring forward proposals to alter the requirements for those elected to the House to take part in its proceedings. [112409]
Sir George Young: I have no plans to do so.
Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Leader of the House if he will make it his policy that the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund should (a) publicly support the UK Stewardship Code, (b) adhere to the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment, (c) demonstrate leadership in the implementation of the principles and (d) publish online the contents of the Responsible Investment part of the Statement of Investment Principles and for Responsible Investment information on implementation in practice; and if he will make a statement. [111155]
Sir George Young: I do not have responsibility for the investment decisions made by the PCPF. The hon. Lady's question is better directed to the trustees.
Recruitment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 489W, on recruitment, to what extent his Office used name-blank CVs or the blind sift function on the Civil Service Resourcing e-recruitment system to recruit staff in the last year. [110956]
Sir George Young: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer of the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude).
Times of Sittings
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals to establish regular earlier sitting times for the last day before each of the main recesses. [112291]
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Sir George Young: The Government brings forward any proposals to change sitting hours on the last day before a recess in the light of the particular circumstances and the day of the week in question, and after appropriate consultation. The final decision is for the House itself. The Government has no plans to bring forward proposals to change these arrangements, and I do not believe that it would be appropriate to do so in advance of any decisions of the House arising from the forthcoming Report from the Procedure Committee arising from its inquiry into Sittings of the House and the Parliamentary Calendar.
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street: Staff
Jack Dromey: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff in 10 Downing street work on correspondence. [110457]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the departmental structure chart for the Cabinet Office which includes 10 Downing street. This is available at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/cabinet-office-organograms
House of Commons: Security
Mr Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister how many security personnel accompany him when he is in those parts of the House of Commons building restricted to hon. Members, Officers of the House and other authorised personnel; and if he will make a statement. [112452]
The Prime Minister: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on security matters.
International Assistance
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister when he expects that the report by the UN Committee on the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals will be published. [111241]
The Prime Minister: I am delighted to have been asked to co-chair the UN High Level Panel on a framework to replace the Millennium Development Goals. This is an important opportunity to help shape the approach to international development for a generation. This is a process led by the UN Secretary General, and the timeline for it has not yet been agreed.
Members: Correspondence
Jack Dromey: To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to respond to the multiple pieces of correspondence regarding private rents sent to him by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington. [110456]
The Prime Minister: A response to the hon. Member's letters has been sent.
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Shale Gas: Exploration
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Prime Minister what representatives of the shale gas industry attended the recent 10 Downing street meeting to discuss shale gas potential in the UK. [111587]
The Prime Minister: Details of my meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis. Details can be accessed on the Cabinet Office website at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/ministers-transparency-publications
Saudi Arabia
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to visit Saudi Arabia. [112429]
The Prime Minister: I visited Saudi Arabia in January 2012 as part of the Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen relations with strategic partners around the world. For security reasons, my engagements are announced as and when appropriate.
South East Asia
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2012, Official Report, column 535W, on South East Asia, which of those companies and delegates listed, visited (a) both Indonesia and Malaysia, (b) Malaysia only and (c) Indonesia only. [110946]
The Prime Minister: I have placed copies in the Library of the House.
Transport
Aviation
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the extent of spare capacity at (a) Stansted, (b) Luton, (c) Gatwick and (d) Birmingham airport. [111578]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport’s “UK Aviation Forecasts 2011” provide an assessment of how activity at UK airports and the associated CO2 emissions are likely to change in the future, given existing policy commitments.
The 2011 forecasts made assumptions about both terminal and runway capacities at airports. These are based upon a ‘maximum use’ scenario where no new runways are built in the UK but, where there is no explicit planning prohibition, most airports develop as necessary in the medium term to utilise their current potential runway capacity.
Details of the capacity assumptions used are available in table 2.6 and forecasts of number of air transport movements for each of these airports are provided in table H3 of the published report, available at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/uk-aviation-forecasts-2011
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Aviation: Volcanoes
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department is providing support to British residents seeking compensation from airline carriers following disruption arising from Icelandic ash clouds. [111120]
Mrs Villiers: The CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints team (PACT) and previously Air Transport Users Council (AUC) have been providing support to British residents with claims for reimbursement of expenses as a result of the volcanic ash disruption. Compensation itself is not due when flights are cancelled due to volcanic ash as this is a circumstance outside the control of the airline. AUC (at the time) actively took these complaints up with airlines and now PACT continues to do so. At the time of the disruption, AUC also actively contacted airlines to remind them of their obligations under Regulation EC 261/2004 and to ensure airline websites were updated to reflect the correct information about passenger rights.
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British residents are awaiting compensation from airline carriers relating to disruption arising from Icelandic ash clouds. [111121]
Mrs Villiers: We do not have the total figure for British residents. We do, however, have details of complaints where passengers have referred complaints to the CAA. The CAA has nine claims outstanding for reimbursement of expenses.
Biofuels
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many varieties of biofuel are currently being grown in the UK. [112089]
Norman Baker: Biofuels are made from a number of different feedstocks including agricultural crops, wastes, residues, ligno-cellulosic and non-food cellulosic materials.
The RTFO Unit in the Department for Transport administers the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and produces statistics on the country of origin of feedstocks used for biofuels reported under the RTFO, where supplied in the UK. The latest annual verified data covering the period April 2010 to April 2011 are available at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/verified-rtfo-biofuel-statistics-2010-11/year-3-verified-report.pdf
The latest unverified data set covering April 2011 to December 2011 is available at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/biofuels-statistics-apr-to-dec-2011/year-4-rtfo-report-apr-to-dec-2011.pdf
The verified data show that currently sugar beet, wheat and oilseed rape are being grown in the UK for biofuel production. The latest unverified data also suggest corn grown in the UK is being used in biofuel supplied in the UK. However, the Government does not hold specific information about the uses which other countries make of crops exported from the UK. It is likely though that where such exports are used for biofuel production these involve the same types of crop as used in biofuel produced from UK crops which is supplied in the UK.
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It is also the case that biogas derived from maize could be used as a transport fuel. However, no biogas made from maize is currently reported under the RTFO as being supplied in the UK.
Dartford-Thurrock Crossing
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations she has received regarding the eligibility of residents of the London borough of Bexley for the Dartford crossing local discount scheme. [111522]
Mike Penning: The consultation to amend the charging regime at the Dartford-Thurrock crossing ran from 30 June to 23 September 2011. During the consultation, 25 responses made specific mention of the eligibility of residents in the London borough of Bexley. Since September, one further letter promoting extension of the scheme to Bexleyheath has been received.
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress her Department has made on the review of the Dartford crossing local discount scheme; and if she will make a statement. [111523]
Mike Penning: On 22 May 2012, I announced changes to Dartford crossing charges, and that the Department for Transport will carry out a full review of the Local Residents’ Discount Scheme to consider how this can be improved. I will be inviting local MPs to a meeting to discuss this shortly.
Driving Offences: Insurance
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will estimate the number of uninsured drivers excluding drivers in London (a) on the most recent date for which figures are available, (b) in 2007 and (c) in 2002. [112331]
Mike Penning: The number of uninsured vehicles in Great Britain has fallen from 2 million in 2005 to 1.4 million in 2010 and 1.2 million today. We have no numbers by region so cannot exclude London and figures were not collected for 2002 and 2007.
Driving under Influence
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department is taking to inform drivers as to the dangers of drinking and driving. [112092]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport is currently developing its drink-drive communication plans for 2012-13 and future years. The plan will be subject to the controls on advertising and marketing spend governed by the Efficiency and Reform Group.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents have involved drink-drivers in each of the last five years. [112093]
Mike Penning: The information requested is available on the Department's website, from the following link:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/tables/ras51001
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Driving: Licensing
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the financial saving to (a) her Department and (b) driving licence holders of the ending of the requirement to hold a paper counterpart to a driving licence. [111907]
Mike Penning: The preliminary estimated annual financial savings achieved by abolishing the paper counterpart are as follows:
(a) to the Department: a saving of almost £947,000; and
(b) to driving licence holders: savings of £8.34 million.
Freight
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of (a) domestic and (b) international freight journeys (i) within, (ii) to and (iii) from the UK were by (A) short sea, (B) international shipping, (C) rail and (D) road in each year since 2006. [R] [112278]
Mike Penning: Data are available on domestic and international rail freight journeys.
The number of domestic rail freight journeys is published on the departmental website at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/tables/tsgb0424.xls
The number of international rail freight journeys is published on the departmental website at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/tables/rai0108.xls
Similar information is not available for the number or proportion of domestic and international freight journeys for road, short sea shipping and international shipping as the data are not collected in a comparable form.
The Department does however publish information on the amount of domestic freight carried by mode at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/tables/tsgb0401.xls
Health Insurance
Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff working in her Department are entitled to private health care as part of their remuneration package. [111260]
Norman Baker: To the best of my knowledge, there are no staff in the Department for Transport who are entitled to private health care as part of their remuneration package.
Highway Code
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the current typical stopping distances in yards were added to the Highway Code; when the distances were last revised; and whether she has any plans to revise them in future. [112330]
Mike Penning: The six typical stopping distances first appeared together in the 1969 edition of The Highway Code, although some date from 1946. The stopping distances have not changed since then. They are currently expressed in metres and in feet. However, the current edition of the Code published in 2007 made it clear that
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“The distances shown are a general guide. The distance will depend on your attention (thinking distance), the road surface, the weather conditions and the condition of your vehicle at the time”.
We currently have no plans to carry out another revision. When we carry out the next revision to the Code we will as usual undertake a consultation on proposed changes to the Code.
Merseyrail
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will commit to funding a fourth track between Roby and Huyton to ensure that four express services can operate each hour between Liverpool and Manchester without reducing local services. [112280]
Mrs Villiers: We will be considering funding for Northern Hub interventions in the High Level Output Specification which will be published by the end of July 2012.
Motor Vehicles: Insurance
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2012, Official Report, column 784W, on motor vehicles: insurance, and with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1277W, on motor vehicles: excise duties, what assessment her Department has made of the factors which account for the difference between its estimate of the 1.2 million vehicles uninsured and 249,000 unlicensed vehicles. [111516]
Mike Penning: We have not made an assessment of the difference between the estimates for uninsured and unlicensed vehicles. Although a vehicle must be insured for the month when it is licensed, the keeping or driving of an uninsured vehicle and the keeping or using of an unlicensed vehicle are separate offences. Insurance policies and vehicle excise duty do not run concurrently; they can expire or be cancelled at different times.
The police and the DVLA carry out enforcement against insurance and licensing offences.
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department has taken to tackle fraudulent insurance claims in the last (a) two and (b) five years. [111905]
Mike Penning: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 14 June 2012, Official Report, column 532W.
Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with (a) law firms and (b) insurance companies on (i) uninsured driving, (ii) fraudulent claims and (iii) lowering insurance premiums for law-abiding drivers. [111906]
Mike Penning: There have been no recent discussions with law firms.
Uninsured driving and fraud contribute to the cost of insurance. On 2 May 2012 the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening) hosted a cross-Government summit with the insurance industry on measures to reduce the cost of premiums.
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I would also refer my hon. Friend to my response of 14 June 2012, Official Report, column 532W, on what the Government is doing to tackle uninsured driving, fraud and the cost of insurance.
Motorcycles
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she has taken as part of Ride to Work Day on Monday 18 June to recognise the contribution of motorcycles to reducing commuter congestion. [111474]
Mike Penning: The Government recognises and welcomes the contribution of motorcycles in reducing commuter congestion and initiatives such as Ride to Work. Although the Government is neutral on whether or not people should take up motorcycling, we do, however, recognise that it is a valid transport choice and we have gone some way to create better and safer conditions for those who make that choice.
Local authorities are encouraged to take actions to support motorcyclists such as, providing dedicated parking facilities and allowing them access to bus lanes. I also note with interest that Transport for London have, since January 2012, given motorcyclists permanent access to bus lanes on the majority of the capital's red routes.
Olympic Games 2012
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department has taken in conjunction with airline operators to ensure that disabled air passengers and paralympic athletes receive suitable assistance when using UK airports during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. [110898]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has been working closely with LOCOG, the Civil Aviation Authority, airports and airlines to ensure that detailed plans are in place for welcoming Paralympic athletes and all passengers with disabilities at airports during the Games. This work, which has been led primarily by the relevant airports, has included reviewing existing processes and facilities, the addition of new facilities and equipment where appropriate, staff training and familiarisation, the provision of additional staff resources where needed, and arranging or participating in trial events.
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are in place to prevent fraudulent misuse or transfer of Games Travelcards for the London 2012 Olympics. [111532]
Mrs Villiers: Spectators with a ticket for a London 2012 sports event or ceremony in or around London will receive a free Games Travelcard.
This is valid for use on public transport in London zones 1-9 for the day of their chosen event and can be used on London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, buses, trams and most National Rail services.
Transport for London (TfL) will be conducting revenue protection checks at key locations across the transport network as normal during the period of the Games. Passengers travelling using a Games Travelcard will
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need to produce their Games accreditation on request otherwise a penalty fare will be issued and the Games Travelcard withdrawn.
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether spectators with tickets for more than one Olympic or Paralympic event being held on the same day will be issued with a separate Games Travelcard for each event. [111533]
Mrs Villiers: All Olympic Spectator Tickets for venues in London, and close to London, Eton Dorney, Lee Valley White Water Centre or Hadleigh Farm include a zones 1-9 one day travelcard for spectators to use on the day of the event.
Arrangements for the purchase and supply of Travelcards are between Transport for London (TfL) and The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). The Department for Transport is not party to the arrangements between TfL and LOCOG in this area.
Giving away or selling Games Travelcards is in contravention of TfL's conditions of carriage, and section 10 of the LOCOG Ticket Sales Terms and Conditions which relates to Travelcards supplied with Games tickets.
Parking
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers local residents have to appeal against the imposition of parking restrictions by their local authority. [112515]
Norman Baker: The procedures for putting in place permanent traffic regulation orders to enforce parking restrictions by local authorities are contained in The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. These regulations require that the police and other interested parties (for example, local residents) be consulted, a notice of intention to make the order be published in a local press, and 21 days allowed for anyone to make objections.
The procedures for putting in place temporary traffic regulation orders are prescribed in The Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Procedure Regulations 1992. Although in this case there is no requirement for local authorities to invite objections, the proposed order must be advertised in advance. The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides for a person to make an application to the High Court within 6 weeks of the order being made if they have concerns over the process that was followed.
Passenger Transport Executives
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to increase the influence that passenger transport executives have over the area surrounding their geographic remit. [111286]
Mrs Villiers: The Department is investigating a variety of legislative options to potentially increase the influence of PTEs. However, any such change would need to be accompanied by mechanisms to ensure robust accountability.
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Procurement
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total (a) number and (b) value of contracts issued by (i) her Department and (ii) bodies for which she is responsible which were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises was in the latest period for which figures are available. [111168]
Norman Baker: DfT's spend with SMEs has been reported in the Cabinet Office report, ‘Making Government business more accessible to SMEs—One Year On’:
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/making-government-business-more-accessible-smes-one-year
Publications
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many publications have been issued by her Department since May 2010. [109816]
Norman Baker: From 1 May 2010, the Department for Transport has issued 1,945 new publications, 1,814 of which were published online.
The information provided relates to the central Department and its seven Executive Agencies.
Railway Network
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department made of the potential wider economic benefits to places along the West Coast Mainline of enhancement works to the railway infrastructure undertaken in Rugby since 1998 at the time the works were proposed; and what assessment it has since made of the actual wider economic benefits achieved. [111363]
Mrs Villiers: The strategy for modernisation of the West Coast Main Line was appraised by the Strategic Rail Authority at route wide level and is reported in ‘The Modernisation of the West Coast Main Line’, published by the National Audit Office in 2006.
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost has been of enhancement works to the railway infrastructure undertaken in Rugby since 1998; and what assessment her Department has made of the cost-benefit ratio of these works. [111364]
Mrs Villiers: The station and track layout in use today cost £190 million. The strategy for modernisation of the West Coast Main Line was appraised by the Strategic Rail Authority at route-wide level and is reported in ‘The Modernisation of the West Coast Main Line’, published by the National Audit Office in 2006. The Department has not conducted any subsequent appraisal of the Rugby project.
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will assess the effectiveness of enhancement works to the railway infrastructure undertaken in Rugby in relation to (a) higher speeds, (b) new station facilities, (c) renewed flyover, (d) increased passenger capacity on the West Coast Mainline, (e) increased freight capacity on the West Coast Mainline and (f) other enhancements since 1998. [111365]
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Mrs Villiers: The Department has no plans to undertake a specific appraisal of the £190 million Rugby project. However, the works played a key role in unlocking capacity on the West Coast Main Line that has supported the very encouraging growth in rail demand seen in recent years. The strategy for modernisation of the West Coast Main Line was appraised by the Strategic Rail Authority at route-wide level and is reported in ‘The Modernisation of the West Coast Main Line’, published by the National Audit Office in 2006.
Railways: Tickets
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations (a) she, (b) her predecessor and (c) Ministers in her Department have received from (i) ATOC and (ii) train operating companies on the practice of splitting tickets by passengers to obtain cheaper fares. [111482]
Mrs Villiers: We are considering the issue of split ticketing as part of our review of fares and ticketing. We have received commercially confidential representations from ATOC and a train operating company.
Recruitment
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 489W, on recruitment, to what extent her Department and its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies used name-blank CVs or the blind sift function on the civil service resourcing e-recruitment system to recruit staff in the last year. [110954]
Norman Baker: The Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies currently do not use the civil service resourcing e-recruitment system to recruit staff. The central Department and its Executive agencies currently use an e-recruitment system operated by the DFT shared service centre and this includes blind sift functionality which is used for the majority, but not all, of the recruitment campaigns run in this system.
Rolling Stock: Procurement
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when her Department plans to complete the commercial arrangements for the delivery of the Intercity Express Programme. [110895]
Mrs Villiers: Negotiations on the Intercity Express Programme are now in their final stages with financial close targeted to be achieved during the summer.
Shipping
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average age is of a vessel in the UK flagged fleet; and what information her Department holds on the average age of vessels registered under other flags. [R] [112274]
Mike Penning: As of 31 May 2012 the average age of vessels on the UK merchant fleet is 19.94 years. This information is taken from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's statistics.
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The UK Ship Register (UKSR) receives market information from Clarkson World Fleet Monitor which shows the average age of other flags. The average age of the other flags in the top 20, by gross tons, is shown as follows:
| Flag | Average age |
Shipping: Pollution
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent assessment she has made of the effect on (a) employment and (b) the availability of (i) low sulphur fuels and (ii) sulphur dioxide abatement technology in the UK maritime sector of the implementation of the revised Annex IV of the International Maritime Organisation's Pollution Convention; [R] [112273]
(2) how many vessels in the UK flagged fleet are fitted with sulphur dioxide abatement technology; and what research her Department has undertaken of international trends in the application of this technology to vessels registered under other flags; [R] [112275]
(3) what assessment she has made of the average cost of fitting (a) passenger and (b) freight ships with sulphur dioxide abatement technology; [R] [112276]
(4) what her policy is on the use of (a) open and (b) closed loop sulphur dioxide abatement technology in order to comply with Annex IV of the International Maritime Organisation's Pollution Convention. [R] [112277]
Mike Penning: The Department will be producing a detailed impact assessment to accompany the domestic legislation implementing the sulphur provisions of the revised Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (commonly known as the MARPOL Convention) as reflected in the EU “amending Directive on Sulphur Content of Marine Fuels”, negotiation of which is nearing its conclusion. The impact assessment will address all costs and benefits associated with the implementation of the provisions, including those concerning the installation and use of abatement technology such as exhaust gas cleaning systems.
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As the Transport Committee recognised in paragraph 32 of its report on “Sulphur emissions by ships”, published in March of this year, the requirements of the revised MARPOL Annex VI have been known to industry for a number of years. The industry has had time to prepare itself for the changes which stem from the revised MARPOL Annex VI and the Department is aware that the industry has been considering the costs and practicability of such options as the use of low sulphur fuel oil, the use of alternative fuel and the installation of abatement technology.
That being the case, the Department has not, at this stage in the process, made its own assessment of the effect on employment, the availability of low sulphur fuels, the availability of sulphur dioxide abatement technology in the UK maritime sector or the cost of fitting sulphur dioxide abatement technology to ships. The Department does not hold figures for the number of vessels in the UK flagged fleet which are fitted with sulphur dioxide abatement technology, and has not commissioned research into the application of this technology to vessels registered under other flags. The Department does consider that both open and closed loop exhaust gas cleaning systems are capable of meeting the requirements of the revised MARPOL Annex VI.
Standards
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to manage the performance of her Department's officials by introducing a system of ranking. [110899]
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Norman Baker: Performance assessment for staff in the Senior Civil Service (SCS) already includes a system of ranking. The central department is introducing a new performance management system this year which will assess the performance of all staff against their peers. In the Highways Agency around 300 senior staff below the SCS already have their contribution reviewed on a relative assessment basis.
The Department's other agencies do not have ranking as part of their annual assessment.
Trade Unions
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many trade union representatives in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies had (i) part-time; and (ii) full-time paid facility time arrangements in 2011-12; [107327]
(2) how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public purse; [107328]
(3) how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies for trade union (i) duties and (ii) activities in 2011-12; [107329]
(4) if she will place in the Library copies of the facility time agreements between trade unions and (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies. [107330]
Norman Baker: The information requested is provided in the table below.
| 2011 -12 | Number of full-time TUS reps | Number of part-time TUS reps | Number of days allocated facility time | Total cost £ |
The Department's and the Agencies' Staff Handbooks set out provisions for agreed facility time for officially recognised trade unions. The Department has no plans to place the Staff Handbooks in the Library of the House.
Regarding non-departmental public bodies, there is no facility time agreement in place.
Women and Equalities
Human Rights: Religion
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent submissions she has made to the European Court of Human Rights on the right of people in the UK to wear a religious cross; and if she will make a statement. [111904]
Lynne Featherstone: On 14 October 2011 the UK Government submitted to the Court:
(i) its written observations on the admissibility and merits of two applications made to the Court in 2010 by Nadia Eweida and Shirley Chaplin regarding their right to wear a cross or Crucifix visibly while at work;
(ii) comments on various relevant submissions that had been made to the Court by third parties.
On 6 March 2012 the UK submitted further written observations on supplementary submissions that had subsequently been made by the applicants.
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Church Commissioners
Metal Theft
Mr Godsiff: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the cost was of metal theft from Church of England property in (a) Birmingham, Hall Green constituency and (b) Birmingham metropolitan area in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [111447]
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Sir Tony Baldry: No specific figures are available for the constituency of Birmingham Hall Green.
The following table shows figures for the number of metal thefts from churches in the geographic areas covered by the Diocese of Birmingham and the Birmingham Metropolitan Area, and the costs of those thefts. National figures are included for comparison.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 to date | ||||
| Claims | Cost (£) | Claims | Cost (£) | Claims | Cost (£) | |
Defence
Aircraft Carriers
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected cost was of installing catapult and arrestor gear to two aircraft carriers in (a) October 2010, (b) July 2011 and (c) January 2012. [109070]
Peter Luff: We did not develop cost estimates for the conversion of two carriers, as the Strategic Defence and Security Review required the conversion of only one, with a decision on the second being taken at the 2015 SDSR.
Our cost estimates for the conversion of one carrier were £920 million, in outturn prices, in October 2010. This estimate had been revised to around £950 million by July 2011. By January 2012 our estimates had increased to around £2 billion and reflected our much greater understanding of the implications and requirements of conversion.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much his Department has spent on commencement of the delivery of the carrier programme (a) in total and (b) in each category of cost; [109071]
(2) how much his Department has spent on the aircraft carrier programme (a) in total and (b) in each category of cost since May 2010. [109072]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence has spent £2,450 million to the end of April 2012 on the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier programme. Of this, £111 million was for Assessment Phase work, £175 million for Demonstration Phase and £2,164 million on the Manufacturing Phase. Over the period May 2010 to end April 2012, we spent £1,262 million, all of which was Manufacturing Phase expenditure. During this period, we also committed up to £39 million on our investigations into conversion, which is accounted for separately.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence of what military factors on the costs of the carrier programme he took account during the development of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. [109740]
Peter Luff: During the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Ministry of Defence made its assessment of the different options for the carrier programme based on the best estimates available of all the relevant factors—military, financial and industrial—associated with each. The proposal to fit a Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier with catapults and arrestor gear to enable the operation of the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter was then subjected to a detailed study to investigate the technical feasibility, costs and timescales. As a result of this work it has become clear that an operational carrier strike capability could not be delivered until late 2023 at the earliest, and we will therefore pursue the STOVL variant. This will mean that we can start flying jets off the Queen Elizabeth in 2018, earlier than would otherwise have been possible, and at a price we can afford.
Armed Forces
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to encourage recognition of the contribution of UK armed forces. [111342]
Mr Robathan: The Government recognises the need to ensure that our armed forces, veterans and their families have the support they need and receive the recognition they deserve. The vast majority of people in this country view our armed forces with great pride, as illustrated by the excellent levels of public attendance at ‘Welcome Home’ parades and the positive public response to our servicemen and women, most recently displayed as a result of the armed forces contribution to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
We shall once again celebrate Armed Forces Day on 30 June 2012, when the national celebrations have their focus in the city of Plymouth. This highly successful annual event is designed to boost public support and appreciation of all those who serve or have served in the armed forces. In addition to this, as part of the armed forces covenant, more than 50 communities have signed their own community covenants. This statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its armed forces is designed to nurture understanding and awareness of issues affecting the armed forces community.
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Armed Forces: Discrimination
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has put in place to prevent discrimination against the armed forces in the provision of goods and services. [111601]
Mr Robathan: The Armed Forces Covenant sets out the principles that those who serve in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared with other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services, and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most, such as the injured and the bereaved.
The interim armed forces covenant annual report was published at the end of 2011, and was written in conjunction with our key partner charities, the Families Federations, other Government Departments and the devolved Administrations, all of whom are members of the Covenant Reference Group. It highlighted progress across a range of different areas and identified work still to be done.
A recent measure to combat discrimination has seen the announcement by the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail of a technical solution for those serving overseas. In addition to improving access to a range of online services including buying goods online and making it easier to access Government online services, this will assist credit reference agencies with their assessments and armed forces personnel serving overseas with maintaining a UK credit history recognised by financial service providers and in turn improve access to financial products.
We will continue to raise awareness of the role of the armed forces in society, which will also help to reduce discrimination.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what measures he has put in place to monitor discrimination against the armed forces, veterans and their families; [111602]
(2) what measures he has put in place to centrally record discrimination against service people as defined under the provisions of the Armed Forces Act 2011; [111603]
(3) what mechanisms he has put in place for service families to record incidences of discrimination with his Department. [112256]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 14 June 2012]:The Armed Forces Covenant sets out the principles that those who serve in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens, and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most, such as the injured and the bereaved.
Any discrimination against members of the armed forces community is to be abhorred, and we will continue to be alert to any cases which are brought to our attention.
When discrimination is experienced, the chain of command will work closely with the civil police, or other bodies as appropriate to address the problem.
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Armed Forces: Redundancy
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department has not made it its policy to inform hon. Members of redundancies at Ministry of Defence establishments within their constituencies; and if he will make a statement. [112230]
Mr Robathan: The selection of an individual for redundancy does not imply that the post they occupy on the notification date is no longer required. In many instances posts will be refilled as redundees leave. This is because individuals are selected using specific selection criteria; their posts are not selected.
Service personnel move between posts and locations regularly, and the location at which they will be serving on their exit date may be different from that at which they were notified. Even where units are disestablished, sites may be reused for other purposes (such as the relocation of Army units from Germany) under Defence Transformation. For these reasons, neither the geographical distribution of notices nor the units within which individuals were serving when notified for redundancy provide a valid basis for assumptions about the location of future military posts, or the impact on local economies.
Armed Forces: Training
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what training facilities will close after the implementation of the Defence Technical Training Change Programme; when those facilities will close; and if he will estimate the savings which will accrue from each site closure; [111562]
(2) when the (a) Army's School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, (b) School of Electronic and Aeronautical Engineering at Arborfield, (c) Marine Engineering School at HMS Sultan and (d) Air Engineering School at RAF Cottesmore will move to RAF Lyneham. [111563]
Mr Robathan: On current planning, Tranche 1 of the Defence Technical Training Change Programme (DTTCP) will result in moves of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) training currently conducted at Arborfield and Bordon to Lyneham in Wiltshire, to free these sites up for disposal from 2015. The disposal receipts from the sale of these sites is subject to commercial pressures and sensitivities, current market forces and further detailed work and is not available at present.
Subsequent tranches of the DTTCP plan to move the remaining Defence Technical Training (DTT) schools, including the Royal Naval School of Marine Engineering at HMS Sultan and the Air Engineering School at RAF Cosford, to Lyneham. The relocation of DTT schools would not of itself result in the closure of these sites. The subsequent tranches of the DTTCP will be subject to further detailed work and therefore the proposed dates of their respective relocations to Lyneham are not yet available.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the BvS 10 Viking vehicles used in Afghanistan will be re-built; and what the cost to the public purse will be. [111564]
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Peter Luff: Having been deployed successfully in Afghanistan, Viking vehicles need to be regenerated for return to the core vehicle fleet in readiness for future contingent operations. It remains our intention for the Royal Marines to be equipped with an amphibious protected mobility capability as set out in the strategic defence and security review. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) plans to review uncommitted projects, such as the Viking Regeneration Programme, regularly to decide when it is necessary to commit funding. Those deemed a priority will benefit from the £8 billion of headroom that is available in the equipment budget over the next 10 years following the completion of the latest planning round.
The cost of the programme will be confirmed at the Main Investment Decision Point. The MOD does not publish the planned costs of programmes before this point, as their disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Arms Trade: Exports
Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has received through the commercial export levy in each of the last 10 years. [111515]
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Mr Gerald Howarth: Available records show that commercial exploitation levy (CEL) income is as detailed in the following table:
| Financial year | Amount (£ million) |
Details prior to 2005 are not held centrally and are therefore unavailable.
Atos
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the total monetary value is of each contract between his Department and Atos; [111181]
(2) when each contract between his Department and Atos was most recently (a) agreed, (b) renewed and (c) extended. [111182]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence currently has four contracts with Atos, the details for which are shown in the following table.
| Contract No. | Contract purpose | Total value (£000) | Date contract agreed | Renewal date | Extension date |
Consultants
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was to his Department of the use of external consultants in each of the last two years. [110614]
Mr Robathan: In financial year (FY) 2010-11 the Ministry of Defence (MOD) spent £26 million on consultancy contracts (as defined by the Office for Government Commerce), including MOD's trading fund agencies.
The final out-turn on (FY) 2011-12 external consultancy will not be available until July 2012.
We have made significant savings in external assistance over the past decade (from £404 million in 2001-02 to £26 million 2010-11). The following table provides expenditure information for the previous six financial years:
| £ million | |
Expenditure on consultancy is now published annually in UK Defence Statistics.
Defence Business Services National Security Vetting
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the target time is for completion of (a) security checks on and (b) developed vetting by the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting of UK citizens who work for private sector personnel employed by defence contractors or companies providing security to defence or nationally important sites. [111269]
Mr Robathan:
The key performance targets for Defence Business Services National Security Vetting to complete all forms of routine security check (SC) and developed
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vetting (DV) cases are 25 calendar days for SC and 95 calendar days for DV cases. These are net of any third party delays.
Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there is a backlog of cases at the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting relating to (a) his Department's personnel, (b) other civil servants and (c) private sector personnel. [111270]
Mr Robathan: The current backlog of cases, defined by Defence Business Services National Security Vetting as the difference between current and normal case holding, is shown in the following table. Types of case vary and include complex cases which take longer than usual to clear.
| Cases | ||
Ministry of Defence (MOD) personnel are defined as MOD civil servants and armed forces personnel. Private sector personnel are contractor cases for those working in the Defence industry. The figures for other civil servants are those for repayment work carried out for DBS National Security Vetting, being a wide range of Government customer organisations.
Defence Equipment: Scotland
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) 12 ton mine protected vehicles, (b) BR90s, (c) amphibious bridging and ferry equipment and (d) concrete mixers of each equipment type are permanently based at each location in Scotland. [111557]
Peter Luff: No equipment of the types listed are permanently based in Scotland at this time. The UK's Defence footprint is organised, resourced and managed on a UK-wide basis to meet operational needs.
Defence: Industry
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the Strategic Defence and Security Review on the number of people employed in the defence industry. [111634]
Peter Luff [holding answer 14 June 2012]: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not collect information on the number of people employed in the defence industry. The last available official estimates published in UK Defence Statistics 2009 were that 300,000 full-time jobs in the UK were supported by MOD expenditure and defence exports.
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The MOD continues to spend a significant amount on procuring equipment and support for the UK armed forces to deliver Future Force 2020. In 2009-10 MOD spent over £20 billion with UK industry and we plan to spend around £160 billion over the next 10 years on the MOD's equipment and support requirements, a substantial proportion of which will be with UK-based suppliers.
Defence: Procurement
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which of his Department's programmes have been delayed between July 2011 and May 2012; when each programme has been delayed (a) from and (b) until; and what the total projected saving is for each programme; [109371]
(2) which of his Department's programmes have been delayed since May 2010; and what the total projected saving is; [109398]
(3) which of his Department's programmes have been delayed since May 2010; when each programme has been delayed (a) from and (b) until; and what the total projected saving is for each programme. [109399]
Peter Luff: The information requested will take time to collate and I will write to the hon. Member when the data are available.
Harrier Aircraft
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the recent sale of Harrier fighter aircraft led to a loss to his Department; and how much was any such loss. [111044]
Peter Luff [holding answer 13 June 2012]: The sale of Harrier assets to the US Government was for US$180 million (around £110 million); this figure included the sale of 72 Harrier airframes, spares and associated support equipment. Moreover, when the value of the sale is added to the savings made from retiring the Harrier fleet from service, the total estimated receipts and savings to the Ministry of Defence is around £1 billion.
The decision to retire the Harrier force early was not taken lightly. Fleet reductions by the previous Government that predated the Strategic Defence and Security Review meant that the Harrier force was not large enough to achieve sustained operations in Afghanistan, and maintain an adequate contingent capability for the unexpected on its own—such as the recent operation in Libya. A combined fleet of Tornado and Harrier would not be cost-effective, since retiring an aircraft type delivers greater savings than running two smaller fleets.
Low Associates
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has received any representations from Low Associates since May 2010. [111597]
Mr Robathan: We have no records of any representations being received from Low Associates since May 2010, but information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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Medals: Veterans
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for North Durham of 6 March 2012, Official Report, column 662W, on medals: veterans, what progress has been made on deciding who will (a) lead and (b) sit on the review of the rules governing the award of military medals; what the timescale is for the review of the rules governing the award of military medals; what the terms of reference are for the review of the rules governing the award of military medals; and which individuals will be asked to contribute to the review of the rules governing the award of military medals. [112150]
Mr Robathan: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 56WS.
Military Aircraft: Training
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on the provision of fast jet training for each training exercise undertaken with (a) Hawker Hunter Aviation, (b) Airborne Tactical Advantage Company and (c) Apache Aviation in each of the last five years. [111566]
Mr Robathan: No funding has been expended with Hawker Hunter Aviation, Airborne Tactical Advantage Company or Apache Aviation on fast jet training in the last five years.
Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence police officers have been deployed to staff passport desks at British airports since May 2010. [111687]
Mr Robathan: There were 227 Ministry of Defence police officers deployed in support of the UK Border Force passport control at British airports since November 2011.
The largest number of officers deployed at airports on a single day was 92.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which airports Ministry of Defence police officers have been deployed to staff passport desks since May 2010. [111688]
Mr Robathan: Ministry of Defence police have been deployed, since November 2011, at the following UK airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Liverpool, Doncaster, Glasgow, Newcastle, Southend, Bristol, Stansted, Southampton, Leeds/Bradford, Luton, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Birmingham and Bournemouth, on irregular occasions in support of the UK Border Force.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the deployment of Ministry of Defence police officers to staff passport desks at British airports. [111689]
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Mr Robathan: The Permanent Secretary has discussed the issue of Ministry of Defence Police support to the UK Border Force on a number of occasions with her counterpart at the Home Department.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training Ministry of Defence police officers deployed to staff passport desks at British airports have received. [111690]
Mr Robathan: To cover operation of the EU desks, Border Force Learning and Development (BF L&D) provides a three-day classroom module with pre-course reading and tests during the three days. This is followed up by a period of mentoring prior to that person being deployed. This is known as "Module 1".
To cover operation of the non-EU desks, trainees must have completed Module 1. BF L&D then provides a four-day classroom module (Module 2) with pre-course reading, some consolidation of the module 1 event and tests within the four days to assess capability and knowledge retention with a required pass mark that delegates must achieve if they are to be deployed.
Patrol Craft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with Turkish Government officials on collaboration on the future production of offshore patrol vessels. [110750]
Peter Luff: No specific discussions have been held between Defence Ministers and Turkish Government officials on the future production of offshore patrol vessels.
Pay
Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) highest, (b) median, (c) median full-time equivalent and (d) lowest full-time equivalent salary was paid by (i) his Department and (ii) its associated public bodies in (A) 2010-11, (B) 2011-12 and (C) 2012-13. [111029]
Mr Robathan: The information relating to the Ministry of Defence for financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 is detailed in the following table:
| £ | ||
| FY 2010-11 | FY 2011-12 | |
The information for financial year 2012-13 is not currently available.
The above figures do not include associated public bodies, as trading funds have delegated authority over pay.
18 Jun 2012 : Column 655W
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department plans to issue bonuses to its staff in the current financial year. [112059]
Mr Robathan: The question of whether to pay non-consolidated performance awards to staff this year is currently under consideration.